Compatible engine swaps or advice?

[mdolnik]

Forgive me if I don't know what I'm talking about... 

I have a 1984 CB750 Nighthawk, and I'm trying to go on a roadtrip in late July, and last season my bike was burning a considerable amount of oil, and somehow I thought it would be something simple to bring into the shop and get it fixed (expecting a bill of around $1000 though).
I bring it in and they're saying that from the compression and leakdown test, that I am pretty much only powering the bike on one cylinder and the engine is pretty much hopeless and they quoted me ($3000-5000)

So I have three questions I guess...

1) Are they just trying to scare me off with a high price, and should I shop around?

2) If I were to find another compatible  engine (or bike with compatible engine) what would I be looking for?

3) Should I just give up and buy another bike (and deal with the nighthawk later)?

[NightHawked]

1) They are probably a dollar or two high. You would hope they would say it is not worth us fixing it. What are the members here spending on parts $300. to $500., now add labor @ $90. an hour. You get the idea.
2) I don't know if a 650/550 would fit or what other years.
3) I would look around see what is available. Can always sell this one for parts/fix. Would you be doing the swap? There are some good project logs worth reading/viewing here in project logs. Sorry not under the best of circumstances, but welcome to the Forum.

[Option13]

You need another 700S engine or to rebuild it yourself. Unless you have access to a Canadian 750S engine, that's you're only option for swaps.

[Laminar]

When you say '84 750 I assume you're in Canada? The only reasonable engine swaps you have available are the '84-'86 Nighthawk 700s/750s.

Obviously the bike isn't worth anywhere near $3000, so only a fool would put that much into it. But if you can pick up a good engine for under $300-400 you could be good to go.

[geemann]

+1 to laminar

either turn it into a parts bike or do the engine swap

as big of a fan as i am of the NHs, $3-5k would be better spent on a new bike.  or better yet, spend $1500 on a new bike and keep the rest of the money and the old bike to tinker with and learn on.

like NHed said, i wish your welcome to the forum was under better circumstances.

cheers,
-g

[mdolnik]

Sigh... was hoping it wouldn't come to this...
Yes Laminar, Canadian bike, my plan was riding from Vancouver to the tip of Newfoundland on it... sigh
Also spent about $150 on ebay for new front brake lever and turn signals (in the mail and probably staying in the box now)

So that's pretty-much what I figured about the engine swap... only 700s or 750s, but was hoping maybe another could fit.

I would MUCH rather get this one going in time (even if its the same cost of buying another bike) so I guess I want to get a few things clear...

-With getting it rebuilt at a shop, most likely seals, rings and whatnot (without going as far as oversized pistons) NightHawked was saying the parts alone would be about $300-500... So if I were to shop around am I going to expect the same quotes? (keep in mind my first stop was a honda dealership)
Tomorrow I'm picking the bike up, and I can post the results of the leakdown / compression tests, if that would help figure out the source of the leaking... although by the sounds of it seems like both valves and pistons...

-For an engine swap... Does anyone know of a website or anything that may be a better place to find an engine (rebuilt / new / at least working) rather than craigslist or kijiji that I could even possibly have it shipped here?

I know I would save a lot of money doing the work myself... but I recently moved into a place where my I dont have a garage, and would only have access to a place I could work on it maybe one day a week, and time isnt on my side... and thanks so much for all the quick comments!

[fortyhourdays]

Sorry about your engine trouble.  You could always do what I did and rebuild the engine inside your house if your family is agreeable.  I don't think the quote you got from the dealership is going to be a whole lot cheaper elsewhere.  Seems anytime the engine has to be opened up, even if it's only the top end, the shops start talking in terms of thousands of dollars as opposed to hundreds.  Here's a link to my rebuild to give you a little inspiration.  I didn't have to do hardly any top end work as my problems were inside the crankcases, and mine's a 650, but this will give you a little bit of an idea of what a rebuild looks like.  Luckily, you won't have to split the cases so that takes a lot of work out of it.
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,9091.0.html

[NightHawked]

You are between a rock and a hard spot. Yes you could probably find a less expensive no name shop. Then you have to ask yourself do you trust them to do quality work. If you find some place to do it for say 3/4 of the money you still have a good amount of money it it. You might be able to find someone on ebay that has one and is willing to ship it to you, then who is going to put it in for you. All this has to happen in what time period? Finding a worthy bike now solves your need for now, if you can find one. Over the winter you could do what you choose to with your current bike. Sell off one come spring. The decision is yours, and not a easy or clear cut one. If this helps great. I wish you all the luck.